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Congresswoman Kelly Hosts STEM Boot Camp at Kankakee Community College

Feb 9, 2015

Press Release

Twenty-five junior high school students learned about solar power and other renewable energy sources during a STEM Boot Camp hosted by Congresswoman Robin Kelly at Kankakee Community College on Saturday.

Students also learned about sustainability and participated in an interactive presentation on solar-photovoltaic energy, a process by which solar energy is converted into electricity using solar panels.

“There are so many students in our communities that already possess extraordinary technological skills,” Congresswoman Kelly said. “With the right encouragement and exposure to STEM careers through these boot camps, students can become our future designers and inventors who will go on to cure diseases, discover new sources of clean energy and halt global warming.”

Presenters included Akin Carter, co-founder of the Black Oaks Center for Sustainable & Renewable Living, and KCC Professor Tim Wilhelm, nationally recognized for his extensive work in renewable energy projects. Kankakee Community College has also achieved national recognition for its leading-edge training in renewable energy. Last year, KCC was named the Accredited Clean Energy Training Provider of the Year by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC).